Reference

Latin Name
Aconitum Napellus; \ac’-o-nite\

Common Name
Monkshood, Wolfbane, Friar’s Cap

Source & Habitat

Aconite is found in the lower mountain slopes of the Northern Hemisphere – from Himalayas through Europe. Medicine is derived from the whole plant, split from the root and pickled in August.

History

Aconite is a toxic alkaloid. Dr. Hahnemann introduced Aconite to the modern Materia Medica in 1805 to alleviate fevers and inflammation. Its homeopathic application brought an end to bloodletting, giving Aconite the reputation as the "homeopathic lancet."

Latin Name
Nux Vomica; \nux-vom-I-ca\

Common Name
Poison Nut

Source & Habitat

A large evergreen tree found in China, India and Vietnam that yields a nut-like fruit the size of an orange. Medicine is derived from the seed of the nut pounded into a fine powder.

History

Nux Vomica contains the alkaloid known as Strychnine. It was first brought to Europe from Southeast Asia in the 15th century and was known as a poison until two centuries later when physicians discovered its medicinal action on the digestive tract. Also valued in history as a tonic for the circulatory system. Homeopathic preparations stripped its toxic chemistry. Dr. Hahnemann introduced it as a homeopathic digestive aid in 1805.

Latin Name
Ignatia Amara; \ig-na'-tia\

Common Name
St. Ignatia Bean

Source & Habitat

Native of the Philippine Islands. Medicine is derived from the bean, which resembles a pear shaped pod and is ground to a fine powder.

History

The Ignatia bean contains the alkaloid Strychnine. Ignatia is named after the founder of the Jesuit order who first introduced it to Europe in the 17th century. Historical herbal uses included treatment for cholera and cardiac conditions. Ignatia’s homeopathic value for emotional wellness was introduced by Dr. Hahnemann in the 18th century.

Latin Name
Chamomilla; \cham’-o-mill-a\

Common Name
Chamomille, feverfew

Source & Habitat

A plant of the aster family. Chamomilla grows in uncultivated fields and dry sandy locations in many areas of Europe. Medicine is derived from the flowers, leaves and bud of plant when in bloom. Collected between May and August when it is not wet with dew or rain.

History

Chamomile’s herbal value as a calming agent has been recognized for centuries. Its homeopathic strength acts deeply on the nervous system and tempers the effects of stress.

Latin Name
Arnica Montana; \’är-ni-ka\

Common Name
Leopards’s Bane, Falkraut, Mountain Arnica

Source & Habitat

This yellow flowering plant is found in mountainous regions around the world, primarily in the Alps. Medicine is derived from the plant and root gathered when in full bloom during July and August.

History

Arnica has been in use throughout history as a first aid for body injuries and soreness. Arnica is an effective herbal treatment whether its leaves are eaten right off the stem, prepared as a tea, or applied as an ointment. Homeopathically, Arnica works to initiate tissue repair at a cellular level.

Latin Name
Rhus Toxicodendron; \rhus’-tox\

Common Name
Poison Ivy

Source & Habitat

This common indigenous plant grows in fields, woods, and fence rows. Medicine is derived from fresh leaves gathered on cloudy days in May and June before the plant flowers.

History

This North American plant was brought to England in the 17th century. Its medicinal virtues were discovered when a doctor associated the cure of his patient’s skin disease with his exposure to the Rhux Tox plant which gives off the potent toxicodendric acid – the oil that produces the blisters associated with poison ivy. In its homeopathic form, Rhus Tox relieves symptoms of poison ivy and demonstrates the medical principle known as the "Law of Similiars."

Latin Name
Pulsatilla Nigricans; \pul-sa-til’-la\

Common Name
Wind Flower, Pasque Flower, Meadow Anemone

Source & Habitat

This violet brown flower is found in the sunny soil of elevated hills and open pastures in the Central and Northern countryside’s of Europe. Medicine is derived from the entire plant picked when flowering in April and May.

History

Pulsatilla was traditionally used as an herbal remedy for the nervous system, relieving muscle spasms and treating eye ailments. In 1805, Dr. Hahnemann discovered Pulsatilla’s significant range of homeopathic applications for clearing congestion.

Latin Name
Belladonna; \bel-a’-dona\

Common Name
Nightshade, Black Cherry

Source & Habitat

This plant with bell shaped flowers grows in Europe and originates from the solanaceae family. Belladonna leaves and flowering branch tips are collected in the wild from May to July.

History

Belladonna has been in medicinal use for over five centuries. Traditionally, its herbal uses included treatment of headaches, menstrual symptoms, peptic ulcers, inflammation, and motion sickness. In 1801, Dr. Hahnemann discovered the homeopathic properties of Belladonna after he noted the similarity between the symptoms of Belladonna poisoning and those of scarlet fever.

Latin Name
Ipecacuanha; \‘ip’-e-cac\

Common Name
Ipecac Root

Source & Habitat

Common to South America. The dried root of the plant is used for its medicinal purpose.

History

The usefulness of Ipecac was discovered centuries ago when it was observed that the plant induced vomiting. While the traditional syrup of Ipecac continues to be used to induce vomiting, its homeopathic application has the opposite effect as it alleviates nausea and vomiting.

Latin Name
Arsenicum Album; \-’al-bem\

Common Name
Arsenious Oxide; arsenic trioxide, white arsenic

Source & Habitat

Arsenic in the form of Arsenopynite mineral ore can be found in Europe and North America.

History

Many attempts were made in history to draw out the medicinal properties of Arsenic. In the 18th century, Dr. Hahnemann identified its homeopathic properties for the treatment of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea related to toxic poisoning and intestinal flu.

Latin Name
Magnesia Phosphorica; \mag-phos\

Common Name
Phosphate of Magnesium

Source & Habitat

A mineral brought from the town of Magnesia in the district of Thessaly. Medicine derived from the pure mineral of phosphate.

History

This cell salt is a mineral element found in the body’s bones, teeth, brain, nerves, blood and muscle cells. Traditionally used for muscle and nervous disorders. Dr. Hahnemann developed its homeopathic use for relief of muscle cramps.